Northern Normandy is not really well known by foreign travelers who come for a tour of France. When travelers mention Normandy, they usually have in mind the WWII D Day landing sites in Calvados or Mont Saint Michel. But there is so much more to see in this region!

We warmly invite you to browse our Normandy tour packages

Upper and Lower Normandy

The map below shows the border between Upper and Lower Normandy, which is near Honfleur. The WWII beaches are mostly in Lower Normandy, as well as the lovely port town of Honfleur and the famous islet of Mont Saint Michel. You may also like to see some other more detailed maps of Normandy.

The capital of Upper Normandy is Rouen, famous for Joan of Arc and the many paintings of the Cathedral by Claude Monet. You might also know about the Etretat Cliffs: rumor has it the famous gentleman burglar - Arsène Lupin - hid real treasure in a secret place inside the cliffs.

 

Etretat Cliffs - Romantic getaways in Normandy

Etretat Cliffs in Normandy (Photo: Needpix.com)

The beautiful white chalky cliffs receive a lot of visitors. They can be seen along the coast for about 90 miles, starting from the Seine estuary at Le Havre to the Somme estuary at Le Crotoy. It is called La Côte d'Albâtre - The Alabaster Coast. You can enjoy a romantic stroll along the beach at sunset after enjoying a seafood platter from a local restaurant... and you'll probably be alone on the beach.

Normandy at Sunset - Romantic Getaways in Normandy France

(Photo: Needpix)

 

When we visited, we had a great afternoon sailing from the lovely port of Dieppe. Most of the city was destroyed during the second world war, but the port and some surrounding streets provide a nice setting for a drink on a terrace so you can enjoy the ocean breeze. 

Dieppe Romantic getaways in Normandy, France Just For You

Dieppe harbor (Photo: Pixabay)

Last but not least, there's no comparison when it comes to comparing the August crowds on the beaches of the French Riviera and the quieter setting of the beaches in Normandy. Admittedly, the water temperature is a bit colder, but if you don't mind the cold, the Normandy coast is a great place to relax and enjoy France off the beaten path!

Normandy beach - Romantic Getaways in Normandy

(Photo: Pixabay)

 

 

Normandy from Paris

Normandy is very easy to reach from Paris and we recommend driving over the train (which is longer as there is no high speed). In less than 3hr drive you will reach Normandy from Paris and you have so many stop options along the way that it would be a pity doing otherwise !

Don't hesitate to contact us to plan your self-drive trip in France !

FAQs

For a well-rounded trip, three to five days is ideal for exploring Normandy’s key sights at a relaxed pace.

3 days – Visit the D-Day landing beaches, the charming town of Bayeux, and the iconic Mont Saint-Michel (see our recommended 3-day Normandy road trip itinerary). 

4–5 days – Add time for Honfleur’s picturesque harbor, the dramatic cliffs of Étretat, and Monet's Garden in Giverny.

A full week – Explore Normandy in depth, including the Pays d’Auge countryside, local markets, and regional specialties like Camembert and Calvados cider.

If you’re short on time, three full days will allow you to see the highlights without feeling rushed.

France Just For You

Experts in self-drive tours in France

Travelers Reviews

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Judy
I can echo everything that has been said in the previous three reviews. The personalization of this entire trip was incredible and Emilie communicated quickly and completely, both in the planning of the trip and after we were in France. My husband and I were spending four weeks in France in celebration of our 50th anniversary. We were a little …
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Lynne & Jeff
In 2013 I had 2 big reasons to plan a trip to France: a new grand baby boy in Avignon, and I wanted to surprise my husband with a trip to Normandy. He absolutely loves anything and everything he can find to read or watch that is related to WWII. So, I started exploring online for a custom tour designer that could put together a great itinerary for …
Kelly
My husband and our friends spent two weeks travelling around Northern France, the Loire Valley and Paris. Emilie provided us with a detailed itinerary that exceeded our expectations. The accommodations were excellent and unique providing us with a variety of B & B's. Her recommendations for tours and sights took into consideration our interests and …
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Travelers wanting to experience France need look no further than France Just for You. Emilie works very hard to make sure travelers have a care-free, positive, unique experience that they could have never found on their own or with a bus tour group. If you dislike prefabricated group tours, and/or feel unconfident about traveling in a foreign …
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Just finished an amazing trip to Normandy and was delighted by all the accommodations, private tours and cooking class with Brigitte. All the details they put together allowed us to relax and enjoy. I highly recommend them.